Save $25 on the Amazon Halo, and get great tracking without the smartwatch hassle

Honestly, I’m one of those types of people that don’t really ‘get’ smartwatches. I definitely understand that they’re helpful for those that may be away from their phone all day but still need access to notifications, but most people have access to their phones all day. Do people really enjoy two things buzzing at them for every text message all day? For me, the best use of a smartwatch is for fitness tracking–a step counter and heart rate monitor on you at all times is great, but I could go without all the other features. I’m far from the only one that feels that way too, as Amazon has created the Amazon Halo, a helpful and unique fitness tracker.

Take one look at the Amazon Halo, and you’ll notice something majorly different–there’s no screen! Essentially, this isn’t a smartwatch, as it’s missing the all-important ‘watch’ part of the tech. The Halo still tracks all your fitness, though! Of course, you have your step counter and heart rate monitor, but the Amazon Halo also tracks your stress levels, sleep quality, and even an estimate of your BMI. The Halo is also compatible with apps like Headspace and Lifesum so that you can properly track everything you need. It’s perfect for those that want a minimalistic tracker that isn’t a smartwatch!

To celebrate the new year and the time of year most people are thinking about their health, Amazon has discounted the Halo by $25, bringing the total down to just $75. You can also sign up for a five-month payment plan, even if you do not have the Prime Rewards Visa.

Amazon Halo

Available in three colors, you can track your fitness without the distractions of a smartwatch with the Amazon Halo! Save $25 and get to tracking.

Buy at Amazon

Looking for more fitness gear to kickstart your New Year’s resolutions? Amazon has a landing page just for you! Browse for fitness gear, smartwatch options, and anything else you may need to bring the gym to your home.

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OnePlus 8T gets OxygenOS 11.0.6.7/8 with new keyboard height adjustment feature, November 2020 security patches, and more

Update 1 (01/06/2021 @ 02:23 PM ET): OnePlus is rolling out a new build fixing bugs that users have encountered with OxygenOS 11.0.6.7. The download links for the Indian release have been added, and we will update this article as receive more OTA links. The article, as published on January 6, 2021, is preserved below.

OxygenOS, the custom skin which powers OnePlus smartphones, is clearly one of the neatest and feature-rich strains of Android. Not only the UI is fast and fluid, but it also offers a wide scope for customizability. And on top of all that, OnePlus keeps updating it religiously with new features and optimizing earlier features. As part of the constant development, the company has rolled out a new OxygenOS update for the OnePlus 8T via the stable channel, streamlining a host of elements in order to improve the user experience.

OnePlus 8T XDA Forums

As per a recent post on the OnePlus forums, OxygenOS 11.0.6.7/11.0.6.8 is now available for every regional variant of the OnePlus 8T. One of the highlights of the update is the addition of the new keyboard height adjustment feature which allows you to raise (or hide) the bottom shortcut bar. Apart from that, the release brings improvements to the image quality on nightscape, a dedicated OnePlus Store app for the Indian model, and the Android security patches for November 2020 among other minor optimizations.

Thanks to OnePlus Community user MoshiurBD for the screenshot!

Here’s the full changelog for the new update:

OxygenOS 11.0.6.7/11.0.6.8 for the OnePlus 8T

• System
  • Optimized the experience of full-screen gestures
  • Increased fingerprint unlock success rates for faster unlock speed
  • Newly added keyboard height adjustment where you can raise or hide the bottom shortcut bar for a better input experience (Go to Settings-System-Language & input-Keyboard height adjustment)
  • Updated Android security patch to 2020.11
• Camera
  • Optimized the image quality on nightscape
• Gallery
  • Fixed a small probability issue that photos don’t display in the Gallery
• Network
  • Fixed the issue that the WiFi connection failed in a specific situation
  • Improved the stability of communication
• OnePlus Store (—IN only)
  • An intuitive and convenient way to manage your OnePlus account, get easy-to-access support, discover exciting members-only benefits, and shop for OnePlus products. (Please note that it can be uninstalled)

---

Download Links

The update has begun seeding in waves, so you will have to wait for it to reach your device. In case you want to sideload the build now, you can find download links for both the incremental update as well as the full ROM listed below.

• OxygenOS 11.0.6.8 (India/Global) for the OnePlus 8T
  • India
    • Full OTA
    • Incremental OTA from 11.0.6.7
    • Incremental OTA from 11.0.5.6
  • Global
    • Full OTA
    • Incremental OTA from 11.0.6.7
    • Incremental OTA from 11.0.5.6
• OxygenOS 11.0.6.8 (Europe) for the OnePlus 8T
  •  Europe
    • Full OTA
    • Incremental OTA from 11.0.5.6

---

Thanks to XDA Senior Member Some_Random_Username for the download links!

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Microsoft Edge rolls out history and tab sync for all users

Nearly a year after the Chromium-based version of Microsoft Edge was launched, the browser is finally rolling out history and tab sync to a wider range of users. The features will allow Edge users to sync their browsing activity whether they’re on Windows 10, macOS, or mobile (iOS and Android).

According to The Verge, the new features are rolling out gradually, with users in the UK allegedly among the first to receive history and tab sync. You’ll have to manually enable these new features by signing into your Microsoft account in order for them to work. Once history and tab sync are turned on, you’ll be able to pick up where you left off on your different devices.

You can check to see if you have the new features by going to Settings > Profiles > Sync. There you’ll see options for History and Open tabs:

• History: Review the web pages you’ve visited in Microsoft Edge
• Open tabs: See the same open tabs when you switch between devices.

The arrival of history and tab sync has been long in the making. Microsoft first launched the Chromium-based version of Edge in January 2020, with the company promising to introduce history and tab sync features over the summer. The features were finally available to beta and dev channels in November, paving the way for a launch today.

Despite receiving these features later than anticipated, Microsoft has molded Edge into a formidable alternative to Chrome and Firefox. The browser features built-in tools to help users find the best deals when shopping, improved security, and a helpful screenshot tool that allows users to mark up and add comments.

Microsoft is also testing group tab collapse, password breach notifications, and sidebar search, which will allow users to select text directly on the webpage to quickly see search results without having to navigate away from your current page.

If you don’t see history and tab sync today, you should see the features become available very soon.

Microsoft Edge: Web Browser (Free, Google Play) →

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Google Play Services 20.50.14 prepares to add support for Wearable Exposure Notifications

Back in August of last year, we learned that the Bluetooth Special Interest Group (SIG) was working on a new BLE specification that would make contact tracing possible on wearables like smartwatches. To develop this new specification, over 130 Bluetooth member companies came together to form the Bluetooth SIG Exposure Notification Working Group (ENWG). At the time, the Bluetooth SIG had also announced that it would release an initial draft of the new Bluetooth specification for review in the coming months.

An APK teardown can often predict features that may arrive in a future update of an application, but it is possible that any of the features we mention here may not make it in a future release. This is because these features are currently unimplemented in the live build and may be pulled at any time by the developers in a future build.

As promised, the standards body published a draft of the Wearable Exposure Notification Service (WENS) specification last month. The draft highlighted the new Bluetooth specification, which would enable “a non-Internet-connected wearable device to operate in a manner complementary with one or more deployed Client-based Exposure Notification Systems (ENSs), therefore enabling significantly more individuals to participate in an ENS.” Although the Bluetooth SIG has yet to finalize this new specification, a teardown of the latest Google Play Services update reveals that Google has already started working on adding Wearable Exposure Notification support to the app.

Google Play Services v20.50.14 recently started rolling out on the Play Store. It includes the following new strings that reveal a few details about the upcoming Wearable Exposure Notification support:

<string name="exposure_notification_pair">Pair</string>
<string name="exposure_notification_pair_fail_dialog">Pair failed! Please try again.</string>
<string name="exposure_notification_pair_new_device">Pair new device</string>
<string name="exposure_notification_paired_devices">Paired devices</string>
<string name="exposure_notification_pairing">Pairing…</string>

<string name="exposure_notification_wearable_available_devices">Available devices</string>
<string name="exposure_notification_wearable_device_list">Get notified on paired devices</string>
<string name="exposure_notification_wearable_device_name">Device name</string>
<string name="exposure_notification_wearable_pair_dialog_message">"Your phone will use this device to securely collect and share random IDs with other devices that are nearby.

You can be notified if you’ve been near someone who reported having COVID-19.

The date, duration, and signal strength associated with an exposure will be shared with the app.
"</string>
<string name="exposure_notification_wearable_pair_dialog_title">Pair %s for COVID-19 Exposure Notification?</string>

The aforementioned strings include a few dialogs highlighting the pairing process that will help users connect supported wearables to receive exposure notifications. After pairing with a new device, users will see a dialog that states: “Your phone will use this device to securely collect and share random IDs with other devices that are nearby. You can be notified if you’ve been near someone who reported having COVID-19. The date, duration, and signal strength associated with an exposure will be shared with the app.”

As of now, Google hasn’t released any official information on the matter. But since the company has already started working on adding Wearable Exposure Notification support to Google Play Services, we expect to see a formal announcement in the coming weeks.

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Google Pixel 4 and Pixel 4 XL are now officially supported by TWRP

Depending on who you ask, you might hear different opinions on what the best Android smartphone currently is. But one thing that’s clear is that many still consider the Google Pixel lineup as the “gold standard” for what Android devices should be. And it’s easy to see why: Pixel phones feature near-stock Android software with a support length far ahead of what you can get on most other Android devices. This remains one of the main selling points of the Pixel lineup even today. But another perk that’s often overlooked is the fact that these phones are also very open to custom development and modding, thanks to a straightforwardly-unlockable bootloader and adherence to standards from Google. Now, both the Pixel 4 and Pixel 4 XL are officially supported by Team Win Recovery Project, or TWRP for short.

You might think: Why just now have these devices gained TWRP support if the phones came out in late 2019? Besides the fact that more expensive devices get into the hands of fewer developers, there have been TWRP builds available for the two devices for a while—they just weren’t official. Recently, though, the TWRP team added official support for devices that launched with Android 10 with TWRP 3.5.0, following months of work to make the custom recovery compatible with dynamic/logical partitions. Official TWRP support means that you’ll be able to download the latest build from the TWRP website as opposed to an individual maintainer’s thread on XDA. It also means you can grab the build from the TWRP app.

If you have a Pixel 4 or a Pixel 4 XL, you should definitely check out the official TWRP builds if you’re interested in getting into modding your Android device—be it simply installing Magisk to gain root access or installing a custom ROM or kernel to add more features or to improve the performance or battery life of your phone. If you have any feedback on the build, check out XDA Senior Recognized Developer bigbiff’s thread on XDA—he’s the maintainer of the builds for both devices.

Download TWRP 3.5.0 for: Google Pixel 4 (flame) ||| Google Pixel 4 XL (coral)

Official TWRP App (Free⁺, Google Play) →

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Facebook redesigns Pages with a dedicated News Feed and simpler layout

Facebook has announced plans to roll out a redesigned Pages experience. According to the social network, the new experience is “simpler for public figures and creators to build community and achieve their business objectives.”

Facebook said the new Pages design will make it easier for users to find and manage what’s on their page. It will also be easier to navigate between your personal profile and public page, which has always been a little difficult to do. Here’s what else you can expect as part of the big redesign:

• Redesigned layout that’s simpler and more intuitive
• Dedicated News Feed to discover and join conversations, follow trends, interact with peers and engage with fans
• Easy navigation between personal profile and Pages
• Updated task-based admin controls giving trusted Page admins full control or partial access
• Actionable insights and more relevant notifications
• Safety and integrity features to detect spammy content and impersonator accounts

The update will also remove Likes and put an emphasis on Followers. Facebook said this will simplify the way people connect with their favorite Pages.

“Unlike Likes, Followers of a Page represent the people who can receive updates from Pages, which helps give public figures a stronger indication of their fan base,” Facebook said.

Facebook is also providing users with better page management tools. If you work for a large brand, different people can be assigned different levels of access.

“For example, you’ll now be able to grant varying levels of access to manage specific tasks including Insights, Ads, Content, and Community Activity & Messages,” Facebook said. “This will also ensure account safety and integrity.”

Speaking of safety, Facebook is promising to do a better job of detecting hate speech, violent, sexual or spammy content and impersonation. Speaking of which, Facebook will make verified badges more visible, so it’s easier to identify posts and comments from authentic Pages and profiles.

Facebook said the redesigned Pages experience is rolling out beginning today and will continue to be available for more personalities and brands in the coming months.

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Lifetime access to Babbel language learning has now dropped to just $179

Seeing your friends and exploring the world is really difficult right now. What better time to learn a language? Babbel makes the process fun, with lessons based around picture quizzes and native speaker audio. For a limited time, you can get lifetime access to the app — including all 14 languages — for just $179 at the XDA Developers Depot. That is the lowest price anywhere.

Besides the obvious benefits of education, learning a language now means you will be ready for when travel is possible again. In the meantime, you can enjoy all those international movies on Netflix.

Babbel can help you get there faster. Developed by over 100 expert linguists, this app makes learning a language genuinely fun. Just as importantly, you start by learning everyday vocabulary — so you can start building your conversation skills in week one.

Starting with the fundamentals, lessons take around 10 to 15 minutes each day. You pick up new words via multiple-choice quizzes and simulated conversations, and the app even uses speech recognition technology to provide feedback.

Rated at 4.5 stars on Android and 4.6 on iOS, Babbel also offers offline learning and personalized review sessions. With 14 languages to choose from, your entire bucket list should be covered!

Lifetime unlimited access is worth $399, but you can get your subscription today for just $179. This huge discount won’t be around forever, so grab it now!

Prices subject to change.

VentureBeat Deals is a partnership between VentureBeat and StackCommerce. This post does not constitute editorial endorsement. If you have any questions about the products you see here or previous purchases, please contact StackCommerce support here. Prices subject to change.

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